Adsorption of l-histidine on copper surface as evidenced by surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

The adsorption of l-histidine on a copper electrode from H₂O- and D₂O-based solutions is studied by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Different adsorption states of histidine are observed depending upon pH, potential, and the presence of the SO²⁻₄ and Cl⁻ ions. In acidic solutions of pH 1.2 the imidazole ring of the adsorbed histidine remains protonated and is not involved in the chemical coordination with the surface. The SO²⁻₄ and Cl⁻ ions compete with histidine for the adsorption sites. In solutions of pH 3.1 three different adsorption states of histidine are observed depending on the potential. Histidine adsorbs with the protonated imidazole ring oriented mainly perpendicularly to the surface at potentials more positive than −0.2 V. Transformation of that adsorption state occurs at more negative potentials. As this takes place, histidine adsorbs through the α-NH₂ group and the neutral imidazole ring. The Cl⁻ ions cause the protonation and detachment of the α-NH₂ group from the surface and the formation of the ion pair NH⁺₃ … Cl⁻ can be observed. In the neutral solution of pH 7.0 histidine adsorbs through the deprotonated nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring and the α-COO⁻ group at E ≥ −0.2 V. However, this adsorption state is transformed into the adsorption state in which the α-NH₂ group and/or neutral imidazole ring participate in the anchoring of histidine to the surface, once the potential becomes more negative. In alkaline solutions of pH 11.9 histidine is adsorbed on the copper surface through the neutral imidazole ring.     

The electrical double layer on oxides: Specific adsorption of chloride and methylviologen on ruthenium dioxide

The double-layer properties of colloidal RuO₂, prepared by thermal decomposition of RuCl₃ at 420°C, have been studied by potentiometric acid-base titrations in combination with electrophoretic mobility measurements. The point of zero charge (pzc) in KNO₃ solutions was found to be pH 5.75 ± 0.05, and the isoelectric point (iep) is positioned at pH 5.8. From the total capacitance of the double layer at the pzc an electrochemical surface area of 21.5 m²/g has been found, which is equal to the BET surface area. The capacitance of the inner part of the double layer (C_i) is 300 μF/cm², which is high compared to C_i on AgI and Hg, but of the same order as that commonly found for oxides. This subject is briefly discussed. The surface charge (σ₀) as a function of pH could be fitted satisfactorily with a simple double-layer model. In the presence of KCl the pzc and the iep are shifted to higher and lower pH, respectively, indicating specific adsorption of Cl⁻ ions. The ionic composition of the double layer as a function of σ₀ and the specific adsorption of Cl⁻ at the pzc have been calculated by a straightforward thermodynamic analysis combined with diffuse double-layer theory. Methylviologen (MV²⁺) also adsorbs specifically and at negative surface charges superequivalent adsorption can take place. In the presence of an excess of KNO₃, specific adsorption of MV²⁺ is no longer noticeable. Some consequences for the catalytic reduction of water by RuO₂ in the presence of MV²⁺ are considered.     

A study by voltammetry and the photocurrent response method of copper electrode behavior in acidic and alkaline solutions containing chloride ions

The electrochemical behavior of Cu electrodes in Cl⁻ solutions was studied in a wide range of pH. The results were compared with those obtained in solutions containing F⁻, Br⁻, I⁻ and So²⁻₄ ions at pH 8.5, and discussed in terms of the competitive formation of Cu₂O and CuCl films on the Cu surface and the influence of CuCl on the properties of Cu₂O. At pH 8.5 or higher, Cu₂O was formed first, whereas at pH 5.7 or lower the Cu₂O film was formed on the Cu surface under the CuCl layer which was formed initially. It is believed that the Cu₂O films doped with Cl⁻ ions exhibited poor protective properties against Cu corrosion.     

Effect of cyclodextrins on the electrochemical behaviour of ascorbic acid on platinum electrodes in acidic and neutral solutions

The effect of β-CD and α-CD on the electrochemical behaviour of H₂A and HA⁻ on platinum is studied. The adsorption of β-CD on this electrode is demonstrated and proved to be dependent on the base electrolyte composition. The maximum adsorption coverage was reached in phosphate solution at pH 6.95. The homogeneous H₂A---β-CD complex formation produced a decrease in the oxidation current and a positive shift in the oxidation peak potential. These effects are predominant in acid solutions. In neutral solutions the opposite behaviour is observed, i.e. an increase in the oxidation current at lower oxidation potentials. The presence of a parallel oxidation route for the vitamin involving strongly adsorbed CO residues is considered, and evidence for a decrease in CO_ad in the presence of β-CD was given by variations in hydrogen adsorption charges. This fact, more important in neutral solutions, must be responsible for the catalytic effect observed. α-CD was not adsorbed, neither did it modify the electro-oxidation behaviour of H₂A and HA⁻.     

Structure-relationships in electrocatalysis: oxygen reduction and hydrogen oxidation reactions on Pt(111) and Pt(100) in solutions containing chloride ions

Kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (orr) and the hydrogen evolution–oxidation reactions (her/hor) were studied on the Pt(111) and Pt(100) surfaces in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ containing Cl⁻. The orr is strongly inhibited on the (100) surface modified by adsorbed Cl⁻ (Cl_ad), and it occurs as a 3.5e⁻ reduction via solution phase peroxide formation. In the hydrogen adsorption (H_upd) potential region, the orr is even more inhibited, and corresponds only to a 2 e⁻ reduction at the negative potential limit where the electrode is covered by one monolayer of H_upd and some (unknown) amount of Cl_ad. On the Pt(111)---Cl_ad surface, the orr is inhibited relatively little (in addition to that caused by strong bisulfate anion adsorption on this surface), and the reaction pathway is the same as in Cl⁻ free solution. The kinetics of the hor on Pt(111) are the same in pure solution and in a solution containing Cl⁻, since Cl_ad does not affect platinum sites required for the breaking of the H---H bond. A relatively large inhibition of the hor is observed on the (100) surface, implying that strongly adsorbed Cl_ad is present on the surface even near 0 V.     

Adsorption characteristics of metal-EDTA complexes onto hydrous oxides

The adsorption characteristics of a variety of metal-EDTA complexes onto hydrous oxides, principally aluminum oxide (γ-Al₂O₃), were examined in aqueous solution. Adsorption of these complexes increased with increasing proton concentration due to the formation of surface complexes between EDTA and the surface hydroxo groups, specifically the AlOH₂⁺ surface groups. The pH-dependent adsorptive behavior and the magnitude of adsorption of the “free” EDTA species were similar to those of the metal complexes. The results also showed that the adsorption of “free” EDTA was exothermic, while the adsorption of Ni(II)-EDTA complexes was endothermic in the lower pH region (3.5) and exothermic at higher pH values (6.0). This implied that the surface preferred the NiHEDTA⁻¹ species rather than the NiEDTA⁻² species. Specific adsorption of the metal complexes was evidenced by the charge reversal exhibited by the γ-Al₂O₃ particles at the highest surface loadings. A quantitative model was formulated based on the pH-dependent speciation of the oxide surface, speciation of the metal complexes in solution, and ζ potential measurements. This model proved valid over a wide range of pH (3–10) and for both high (>50% coverage) and low (<10% coverage) surface loadings.     

Adsorption of Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes on a silica gel surface chemically modified with 2-mercaptoimidazole

The isotherms of adsorption of MeX₂ (Me = Cu²⁺, Co²⁺; X = Cl^–, Br^–, ClO ₄ ^– ) by silica gel chemically modified with 2-mercaptoimidazole (SiMI) were studied in acetone and ethanol solutions, at 25 °C. Covalently attached 2-mercaptoimidazole molecule to silica gel surface adsorbs MeX₂ from solvent by forming a surface complex. The metal is bonded to the surface through the nitrogen atom of attached 2-mercaptoimidazole. At low loading, the electronic and ESR spectral parameters indicated that the Cu²⁺ complexes are in a distorted-tetragonal symmetry field. The d-d electronic transition spectra showed that for Cu(ClO₄)₂ complex, the peak of absorption did not change for any degree of metal loading and for Cl^– and Br^– complexes, the peak maxima shifted to higher energy with lower metal loading. The CoX₂(X = Cl^–, Br^–, ClO ₄ ^– ) analogues possess a distorted-tetrahedral field.     

Fourier-transform surface-enhanced Raman scattering study on thiourea and some substituted thioureas adsorbed on chemically deposited silver films

Adsorption of thiourea, N,N′-diphenylthiourea (DIPTU), N-ethyl-N′-phenylthiourea (ETPTU) and N-(p-nitrophenyl)thiourea (NPTU), from acidic and neutral solutions, on chemically deposited silver film substrates are investigated using Fourier transform surface-enhanced Raman scattering (FT-SERS) technique. A strong band in the low frequency region, around 230 cm⁻¹ in the FT-SERS spectra of all these systems, assigned to Ag–S stretch, indicates a preferential adsorption through the sulfur atom. The frequencies and bandwidths of benzene ring vibrational modes in ETPTU as well as DIPTU are almost unaffected by adsorption indicating that benzene rings do not interact directly with the silver surface. A cis-cis conformation (both imino H-atoms cis with respect to thione sulfur atom) is proposed for DIPTU and ETPTU on the silver surface. In the case of NPTU, an additional interaction through the benzene ring is also observed as shown by the frequency shifts and band broadening of some benzene ring modes and weak intensity of the C–H stretching band.     

The effects of pH and ionic strength on fulvic acid uptake by chitosan hydrogel beads

The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption capacity for fulvic acid (FA) by chitosan hydrogel beads. The results indicated that the sorption amount increased with decreasing pH and increasing ionic strength concentration. The sorption isotherms were well described by using non-linear Langmuir, Freundlich and Redliche–Peterson equation. The adsorption kinetics of FA onto chitosan hydrogel beads could be described by pseudo-second-order rate model. The extent of FA removal in the presence of other ions decreases in the order Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ ≈ K⁺ and Cl⁻ > NO₃⁻ > CO₃²⁻. FTIR along with XPS analyses revealed the amine groups on the beads were involved in the sorption of FA and the organic complex between the protonated amino groups and FA was formed after FA uptake. Sorption mechanisms including electrostatic interaction and surface complexation were found to be involved in the complex sorption of FA on the chitosan hydrogel beads.     

XPS investigations of the electrochemical double layer on silver in alkaline chloride solutions

The electrochemical double layer on Ag in alkaline NaCl solutions was examined ex situ with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The specimens were removed from the electrolyte with hydrophobic surfaces and under potential control. The potential dependent surface concentrations of the adsorbed anions (Cl⁻, OH⁻), cations (Na⁺), the surface excess charge and the amount of adsorbed water were determined and compared to the results obtained for acidic NaCl solutions. The distinct differeness found between both electrolytes were discussed in terms of a specific adsorption of hydroxide ions in the basic Cl⁻-electrolyte; i.e., the OH⁻-surface concentration has to be considered for a proper determination of the cationic excess charge and the potential of zero charge. In addition, the initial stages of silver (1) oxide formation were examined with XPS.     

The structure and dynamic properties of mixed adsorption and penetration layers of α-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/β-lactoglobulin at water/fluid interfaces

The interfacial tensions of mixed α-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/β-lactoglobulin layers at the chloroform/water interface have been measured by the pendent drop and drop volume techniques. In certain intervals, the adsorption kinetics of these mixed layers was strongly influenced by the concentrations of both protein and DPPC. However, at low protein concentration, C_{β-lactoglobulin}=0.1 mg l⁻¹, the adsorption rate of mixed interfacial layers was mainly controlled by the variation of the DPPC concentration. As C_{β-lactoglobulin} was increased to 0.8 mg l⁻¹, the interfacial activity was abruptly increased, and within the concentration range of C_DPPC=10⁻⁴–10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹, the DPPC has very little effect on the whole adsorption process. In this case, the adsorption rate of mixed layers was mainly dominated by the protein adsorption. This phenomenon also happened as the protein concentration was further increased to 3.6 mg l⁻¹. When C_DPPC>3 · 10^–5 mol l⁻¹, the adsorption behaviour was very similar to that of the pure DPPC although the protein concentration was changed. The equilibrium interfacial tensions of the mixed layers are dramatically effected by the lipid as compared to the pure protein adsorption at the same concentration. It reveals the estimation of which composition of lipid and protein decreases the interfacial tension. The combination of Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) with a conventional LB trough was applied to investigate the morphology of the mixed DPPC/β-lactoglobulin layers at the air/water interface. The mixed insoluble monolayers were produced by spreading the lipid at the water surface and the protein adsorbed from the aqueous buffer subphase. The BAM images allow to visualise the protein penetration and distribution into the DPPC monolayer on compression of the complex film. It is shown that a homogeneous distribution of β-lactoglobulin in lipid layers preferentially happens in the liquid fluid state of the monolayer while the protein can be squeezed out at higher surface pressures.     

Hydrogen bonding between a water molecule and electronegative additives (O or Cl) on a Pt(111) surface

Water adsorption on Pt(111) surfaces treated with oxygen or hydrogen chloride at 20 K has been studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy. Water molecules chemisorb predominantly on the sites of the electronegative additives (O or Cl^-), forming hydrogen bonds of O-HO or O-HCl^-. On a Pt(111)-2×2-O surface, water adsorption produces species (O(D₂O)), monomeric water (D₂O), (O(D₂O)₂) and ring tetramer-like cluster (O(D₂O)₃) on a Pt(111) surface. On a Pt(111)-3×3-Cl^- (θ=0.44) surface, water adsorption gives rise to a Pt(111)-(4×2)-(H₃O⁺+Cl^-) co-adsorption structure to form a hydrogen-bonding network between Cl^- and H₃O⁺ ions.     

The chemistry of adsorbed Cu(II) and Mn(II) in aqueous titanium dioxide suspensions

We studied the adsorption behavior of Cu(II) and Mn(II) on the surface of titanium dioxide over the pH range from 2.0 to 11.5. The titanium dioxide we used in these experiments was prepared by hydrolyzing TiCl₄ and had a surface area of 113.7 m² g⁻¹. All suspensions, which were 9.04 × 10⁻³ M in NaClO₄, contained 20 m² liter⁻¹ of oxide surface and divalent metal ion concentrations sufficient (at full adsorption from solution) to cover the available surface with one-half, one, and four layers of close-packed, hydrated ions. Both divalent ions began adsorption below titanium dioxide's isoelectric point (pH = 6.2). Cu²⁺ adsorption was accompanied by net OH⁻ uptake from solution and it was inferred that the titania surface also provided OH⁻ for Cu²⁺ adsorption. ESR spectra demonstrate the coexistence of two distinct forms adopted by these metal ions on the surface. A portion of the adsorbed metal ions occupies sites magnetically isolated one from another, as evidenced by the paramagnetic behavior of this form. The majority of the metal ions, however, exist in hydrous-metal-ion clusters in which spin-exchange coupling of the electron dipoles determines the magnetic behavior. Electrophoretic mobility measurements indicate that ions adsorbed at isolated sites exert a stronger influence on the electrophoretically measured charge of the suspension particles than ions in clusters. Even though these experiments were performed in the absence of oxygen, we observed the oxidation of a limited amount of the Mn(II) on the surface as low as pH = 5. Presumably this occurs as a result of electron transfer between photo-induced electron holes and Mn(II) on the surface.     

Lanthanides adsorption on controlled pore glass

Eu/III/ and Ce/III/ are adsorbed on controlled pore glass from neutral and basic solutions. The experiments have been carried out using 10^–5M solutions of chlorides. For 0.1 M NaCl as a supporting electrolyte very low adsorption is observed below pH 6 and above pH 8 the adsorption curve has a plateau corresponding to over 90% of europium /or cerium/ adsorbed. At lower NaCl concentrations the above pH values shift towards lower values. Europium adsorbs considerably better than cerium and the best selectivity is observed at pH=7.     

Interdependence of Anion and Cation Exchanges in Calcium Hydroxyapatite: Pb and Cl

The ion exchange of Pb²⁺ and Cl⁻ into calcium hydroxyapatite from aqueous solutions is studied at 293 K. Although the exchange of Cl⁻ into CaHAp and PbHAp was not observed, in the presence of both Pb²⁺ and Cl⁻ in aqueous solution the exchange of both Pb²⁺ and Cl⁻ into CaHAp occurred, and, at least at intermediate concentrations of HCl, a proportionality between the sorbed quantities of these two ions was observed. The dissolution of CaHAp is shown to be dependent upon the pH, while the quantity of Pb²⁺ exchanged into the solid is not a function of the proton content; consequently, the exchange is not primarily a dissolution–precipitation process.     

Ruthenium-azoimine-chloranilates Synthesis,Spectra and Electrochemistry of Ruthenium(II)-1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole-chloranilate Complexes

Ag⁺-assisted dechlorination of blue cis-trans-cis Ru(R-aai-R′)₂Cl₂ followed by the reaction with chloranilic acid (H₂CA) in the presence of Et₃N, gives a neutral mononuclear violet complex [Ru(R-aai-R′)₂(CA)]. [R-aai-R′=p-R-C₆H₄—N=N—C₃H₂—NN, abbreviated as an N,N′ chelator where N(imidazole) and N(azo) represent N and N′, respectively; R = H (a), OMe (b), NO₂ (c) and R′= Me (4), Et(5), Bz(6)]. All the complexes exhibit strong intense MLCT transitions in the visible region and weak broad bands at higher wavelength (>700 nm). Visible transitions (580–595 nm) show a negative solvatochromic effect. The cyclic voltammograms show two quasireversible to irreversible couples positive to SCE and are due to CA⁻/CA²⁻ (1.2–1.35 V) and Ru(III)/Ru(II) (1.6–1.8 V) redox processes. Three couples, negative to SCE, are assigned to CA²⁻/CA³⁻ (−0.2 to −0.3 V), and azo reductions (−0.5 to −0.7, −0.8 to −0.9 V) of the chelated R-aai-R′.     

Removal, preconcentration and determination of Mo(VI) from water and wastewater samples using maghemite nanoparticles

Removal and recovery of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions were investigated using maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles. Combination of nanoparticle adsorption and magnetic separation was used to the removal and recovery of Mo(VI) from water and wastewater solutions. The nanoscale maghemite with mean diameter of 50 nm was synthesized by reduction coprecipitation method followed by aeration oxidation. Various factors influencing the adsorption of Mo(VI), e.g. pH, temperature, initial concentration, and coexisting common ions were studied. Adsorption reached equilibrium within <10 min and was independent of initial concentration of Mo(VI). Studies were performed at different pH values to find out the pH at which maximum adsorption occurred. The maximum adsorption occurred at pHs between 4.0 and 6.0. The Langmuir adsorption capacity (q_max) was found to be 33.4 mg Mo(VI)/g of the adsorbent. The results showed that nanoparticle (γ-Fe₂O₃) is suitable for the removal of Mo(VI), as molybdate, from water and wastewater samples. The adsorbed Mo(VI) was then desorbed and determined spectrophotometrically using bromopyrogallol red as a complexation reagent. This allows the determination of Mo(VI) in the range 1.0–86.0 ng mL⁻¹.     

Influence de certains ions inorganiques, de l'éthanol et du peroxyde d'hydrogène sur la photominéralisation du β-naphtol en présence de TiO2

TiO₂ photocatalytic mineralization of β-naphthol: influence of some inorganic ions, ethanol, and hydrogen peroxide. In this work, the photocatalytic oxidation of β-naphthol in aqueous suspensions of TiO₂ was investigated at room temperature, by following the formation of CO₂. The disappearance of β-naphthol fits a Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model. The activation energy for the degradation reaction of β-naphthol is estimated at 10.2 kJ/mol. The effects of some additives such as ethanol, H₂O₂, and inorganic ions (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, HCO₃⁻, NO₃⁻, Fe³⁺, Cu^2+, and Cr³⁺) on the photomineralization of β-naphthol were examined. The inhibition of the anions for this reaction was in the order : NO₃⁻ < HCO₃⁻ < SO₄²⁻ < Cl⁻. This can be due to a partial blockage of catalyst active sites by these ions or their reaction with an oxidizing radical such as OH. The most photoactive systems for β-naphthol degradation were found in the presence of ferric ions, while the addition of Cr³⁺ strongly inhibited the photocatalytic decomposition of β-naphthol.     

Simultaneous determination of chloride, nitrate and sulphate in vegetable samples by single-column ion chromatography

A new ion chromatography method is described for the simultaneous determination of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻, using a selected eluent 1.3-mM sodium gluconate/1.3-mM borax (pH 8.5). The extraction methods of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ in vegetables are studied. The determination limits of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ are 0.17 μg/ml, 0.63 μg/ml and 0.81 μg/ml. The linear ranges are 060 μg/ml, 090 μg/ml and 090 μg/ml. The relative S.D. are <2.5%. The mean recoveries of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ in vegetables range from 97.0 to 104%.     

Adsorption of 2-amino-5-nitropyridine on the (111) and (210) silver faces

The adsorption isotherms of 2-amino-5-nitropyridine (ANP) on the (111) and (210) silver faces from an aqueous solution of 0.09 M KClO₄ + 0.02 M NaOH were determined at −0.4 V vs. the 1 mol⁻¹ calomel electrode using double-potential-step chronocoulometry. The surface concentration Γ_ANP of ANP was obtained by stepping the applied potential from −0.4 V, where ANP is electroinactive, to −1.2 V, where ANP is electroreduced to 2,5-diaminopyridine. The charge involved in this step, once corrected for the diffusive and capacitive contributions, yields 6FΓ_ANP directly. The maximum surface concentration and standard Gibbs energy of adsorption are equal to 3.6 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² and −35 kJ mol⁻¹ on Ag(111) and 5.2 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² and 42 kJ mol⁻¹ on Ag(210), thus demonstrating the strong effect of surface crystallography on the energetics of ANP adsorption.